7 Steps to Consistency
By Sharah the Yaladah
During a Banah morning reflection we discussed that one of the characteristics of a virtuous woman is consistency. Mother Malakah brought out the word “Sheba.” This word is translated in English as “oath” (it is also the hebrew word for the number 7). In the Hebrew language the number 7 is the number for the fulfillment of an oath. Mother Malakah expressed to us that in our Hebrew culture it was customary to keep an oath even if it brought harm to yourself. It is important that we go out of our way to keep our word, to be committed to the oaths/vows we make. I believe this is why it states in Ecclesiastes 5:5, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” Our Heavenly Father, Yahuah, keeps His promises because He is not a man that He should lie. We are to carry on his traits consistently lest we take our Father’s name in vain. We, too, are required to keep our word. Yahuah’s words do not return to Him void. Thus as His oracles, who speak in His authority, we must make sure our words and our vows match our actions. If we cannot keep our vows we will be hypocrites like the Pharisees. How can we obtain righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees? How do we go forth and do even greater things than Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, who kept his oath to pay our penalty for sin, even unto death (harm to himself)? Our main focus must be as the Apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:9.
“We make it our goal to please Him whether at home in the body or away from it.”
If we want to be more consistent we must bring all we do, want, have , need, and all that we are under submission to Yahuah. It’s not enough to be consistent in works or to simply be religious. there are those who do wickedness consistently. The goal is to make sure all that we do is centered on pleasing Yahuah that includes the level of consistency by which we live.
Yahuah gave me these 7 steps that I used in my homeschooling with my children. During the morning reflections I see that these 7 were not just for homeschooling or just for our family but for all of us. All Praises to AB Yahuah for the revelations He gives us. I pray these 7 Steps to Consistently bless you all and your households as we all strive to look more and more like Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
Step 1: Listen
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom
in the future.” Proverbs 19:20
Listen is the opportunity to gather the information needed to understand something or someone. Before you can understand how to do anything you must first listen. We don’t know what the directions are if we don’t listen to them. We won’t understand how someone feels if we don’t listen. We can’t recognize when something is wrong with our body if we don’t listen to it. There are so many ways, scenarios and aspects of life where listening plays an vital part in our success. Yahuah tells our people to “SHEMA”…listen, obey and do. In order to be more consistent in our walk with The Most HIgh we must be willing to listen, this is an act of humility. Remember we are to be QUICK TO LISTEN.
Step 2: Learn
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 7The fear of the Yahuah is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:5 &7
Learning is the willingness to follow the instructions that you have heard (listened to). Learning is an ongoing process. We never stop learning because there is always something new to learn and we are constantly at a new stage in life. This is where we have to make the choice of whether we are going to be obedient or not. Yahuah wants our obedience but He won’t force it eventually he will give us over to our sin. However, if we love Him we will obey Him. If we don’t fear/reverence Him we won’t desire to learn from Him. We make time to do the things that we want. So at this step we have the opportunity to check our motives. Many hear the instructions (commands) but many become grieved when it’s time to obey them. But if you want to learn more we must obey the instructions.
Step 3: Try
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Yahuah in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach. Phillipians 3:14
Trying is the process of putting in the effort to apply what you have listened and learned and the attitude that drives that effort. This step is very active as it usually involves trial and error. You have the willingness to obey but you haven’t quite mastered the ability to do without mistakes. Scripture says the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak and that a righteous man falls down 7 times. This speaks to the difficulty of obedience but the importance of getting back up and trying again. We must remember we can do all things through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach who strengthens us. As we “press on toward the goal” we are to be zealous and eager this is the attitude we should have. If we are bitter, frustrated or doubtful during this step we will lose focus. This is a great time to confess and repent as these heart issues arise. Philipians 2:14 reminds us to do everything without grumbling and arguing. If we are truly trying with the right attitude and perspective we will always TRY our best.
Step 4: Practice
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and Yahuah Shalom will be with you. Phillipians 4:9
Practicing is the period in time when we now KNOW what to do and how to do it but we are testing or challenging our knowledge in a real way. This can be something as simple as turning down a treat at a party when we know we have cut sweets out of our diet. Still waking up early even though we had a rough night dealing with a sick child. We know Yahuah will use a testing to refine us, to burn out anything within us that is not pleasing to Him. This refining fire is our opportunity to practice what we have learned from Yahuah’s word, received through His revelation, and heard from the Ruach Ha’Kodesh whether privately or by 2 or 3 witnesses. This is the time for strongholds to be released as we no longer let those things control us.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers,b when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Remember practicing is a time for us to build our character so that we are lacking nothing. Which leads us to mastering or ruling over ourselves.
Step 5: Master
We know that our old selfa was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set freeb from sin. Romans 6:6-7
Mastering is the actions we take to rule over or control something. If we are keeping Torah in Ruach (spirit) and in Truth we should get to the point where we rule over sin. We shouldn’t any longer struggle with anger, malice, gossip, sexual immorality etc. no longer being a slave to those things. We should no longer be triggered when we see something that looks good to us. Once we have mastered our flesh we should be more consistent. At this step we should have a strong sense of self-control. If not then we will operate like a city with no walls leaving ourselves vulnerable to enemy attacks. This is why it is important to “take every thought captive to obey Yahusha Ha’Mashiach”, where you may be triggered if you don’t let sin take you. You turn it over to your Ruling Authority so it can be conquered and mastered.
Step 6: Pursue
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Romans 14:19
Pursuing something (or even someone) means that you are striving to make it (or them) a regular part of your life. This is where true consistency is formed. You have now made something a habit or someone a permanent part of your life. You should be willing to use this habit to edify the assembly to build up the house. Each one of us has a purpose in the body of Ha’Mashicah as His bride. If you are not operating in your function because you are not being consistent then the body will be lacking. Most importantly your personal relationship with Yahusha will be hindered if you are not committed to a permanent relationship with Him. This means giving up something or someone to be more consistent in your life and relationship with Yahuah. When you pursue His righteousness and seek first His kingdom and all its righteousness then you will want for nothing. Your ways and desires will be aligned with Yahuah’s will and you will do things to please Him on a more consistent basis. Once you are able to be consistent you should be able to use your gifts to encourage and educate others. As it states in 1 Corithians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
Step 7: Teach
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
Teaching is the ability to support someone by explaining information in a way they can understand that they may be able to do for themselves. If you are able to teach someone in an area you have become consistent at then this is a great sign that you are proficient at it. While none of us are perfect, it is very important that when we teach, prophecy, or speak as oracles of Yahuah our lives are consistent with what we say. We should be careful not to be prideful hypocrites boasting in our ability as if it is though our own might that we got to the point we are at. Yahusha is the greatest teacher of all and even He didn’t want to be called “good teacher”. He gave all esteem to AB Yahuah. We should follow His example walking in consistent humility and obedience.
Yahusha taught us that teaching is an act of service. Its lovingly walking alongside someone even at times supporting them from behind, having their back just in case they struggle. When we teach we have to remember not to lord over people but to keep in mind that we were once like them, inconsistent and lacking knowledge. Even while teaching we can open ourselves up to learning new things and gaining new experiences. It’s exciting when you can be a part of how Yahauh is working in someone’s life because He chose you to “teach” them. This is why we are to teach Yahuah’s commands to our children diligently, training them up. Putting in every effort to make sure all the future generations are righteous before Yahauah.
Just as Yahusha came down to earth to teach and serve…we decend to other in humility to teach and serve also. From listening to teaching we must become consistent in our humility before Yahuah and obedience to Him.
Be encouraged Emas & Achotis! Yahuah is doing a mighty work in us. When we “focus on our own obedience” we can draw closer to Yahuah and become more consistent in guarding His commandments. “By now we should be teachers in the order of Melchizedek.” desiring the meat of the word. So let us strive to be refined iron that we may sharpen one another.
Confessing our sins to one another. Praying for one another.
Admonishing one another. Supporting one another. Loving one another.
Let us be consistent in our love for Yahuah and for each other.